Pulau Bintan Shopping

This factory outlet isn't here till a couple of years ago.

It occupies a bluish building right next to the customs building and thus is just a stone throw walk away.

What to buy: You can find branded goods such as Acercrombie & Finch, Boss, Nike etc going at slashed cost prices as long as you don't mind the items looking outdated, dusty and well, sometimes, fugly. You will find a whole warehouse full of T-shirts, pants, jeans, bermudas, belts, sunglasses, undies.....as long as you have time to look through them.

What to pay: Check the price tags.....

Most resorts offer rides to the local tourist village - a series of shops selling clothing, fake designer handbags and souvenirs - run by the local tourism venture. The only trouble is you're then stuck here till the next bus out, usually 1 1/2 hours! Not a lot to do if you're not into the shopping, a couple of restaurants here too, and prices cheaper than resort - but again, unless you want to pay extra (about Sing $20) for a taxi back to the resort (compared to $3 for the bus) you're stuck till next bus out. Fine if you're with a group to share costs, not so hot on your own!

What to buy: Fake designer gear!

Worth taking the trip to enjoy the spa - a very relaxing treatment in the newer retail block over the road at half the cost of resort. Cost me Sing $99 for 3 hour treatment. bliss!

What to pay: not a lot, Singapore $ cash, or credit card charged in Indonesian currency

There this minimarket at Pasar Oleh Oleh. I can't remember the name but it's the biggest one there. For me, the beer (Heineken especially) was cheap at SGD2 per can. The layer cake (in a box) is only SGD12 and is good to my standards.

What to buy: Carvings, batik, local handicrafts.

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A place for quick souvenirs in tourist area, thats about it. It is cheaper than buying from the hotels' shops. If you have the time, go to Tanjong Pinang. It is the main city of the island and things are cheaper there.

What to buy: Souvenirs.

We saw these paintings for sale at the shopping corner at the Nirwana Beach Resort, next to the Reception desk. We also saw an artist working on canvas. After talking to him we found out that he is from Bali and comes twice a week to make portraits and sell them to admirers. These paintings were too good but also too expensive-selling for millions of Rupiahs.

What to buy: The paintings offcourse

What to pay: S$200 and more

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Pasar Ole Ole has a collection of shops selling the local handicraft items and the prices are reasonable. The handicraft items are mainly wooden crafts and a lot of items made of sea shells too.

What to buy: Decoration pieces, paintings by local artists

What to pay: Maximum US$10

This is an "artificial" market - in that it is built solely to tap into the flow of tourists into Bintan who demands an alternative place to shop, eat and buy groceries.
There are many shops here selling arts and crafts, to swimwear, to sunglasses and office wear.

Some folks argued that this is a tourist trap, but the groceries here are indeed cheaper than those at the resorts. You decide.

I've always made it a point to visit the country's supermarket. It always give me an insight into what the locals eat, live and spend on. Next to staying with one, the supermarket offers the closest glimpse you can get to how the locals live.

For example, in Japan I finally got to see why fruits are individually sliced and served at the buffet spread. A honey melon could cost up to US$50 or more!

What to buy: Indonesia is justly famous for her coffee and if you come across the one in the photo do buy more. My only regret was that I got only 1 small box. Unlike other coffee that comes in paperbags, this one falls loosely into the cup. After it dissolves, it sinks to the bottom and it doesn't come with a bitter after taste. Nor does it have the artificial taste of instant coffee. Somehow instant coffee gives me a bloated stomach that brewed coffee doesn't.

Tora Bika tastes strong yet comforting without being overwhelmingly so. Nicely balanced. The local beer Bintang is smooth and fragrant. At S$1 per can it's easily 30% the price sold in Singapore.

In case you wondering about the tube, it's toothpaste. Strange brands that I've never seen before even in Bali but the taste is palatable. Don't eat it though.

What to pay: Pay as locals do, shop in supermarkets.